Actuator cap with frangible guard



March 19, 1968 P. L. CROWELL 3,373,908

ACTUATOR CAP WITH FRANGIBLE GUARD 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 13, 1965 f INVENTOR.

Par/4n L. Ceowsu March 19, 1968 P. L. CROWELL 3,373,908

ACTUATOR CAP WITH FRANGIBLE GUARD Filed Dec. 13, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. PHIL/P L. CQOwac United States Patent Orifice Patented Mar. 19, 1968 3,373,908 ACTUATOR CAP WITH FRANGIBLE GUARD Philip L. Crowell, Racine, Wis., assignor to S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc., Racine, Wis. Filed Dec. 13, 1965, Ser. No. 513,426 3 Claims. (Cl. ZZZ-402.13)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An overcap for aerosol dispensing containers having a removable lock member normally positioned to prevent discharge, wherein said overcap including the lock member is of unitary molded construction.

This invention relates to aerosol dispensers, and more particularly, to an improved overcap therefor.

Heretofore, it has been known to protect against the accidental or inadvertent discharge of containers, such as aerosol containers, during crating, stacking or shipping by providing a suitably shaped overcap having a design which recessed the activating member beneath a surrounding peripherial ridge. It was intended that this means of protection would guard against accidental discharge of the container when objects, such as other containers, were placed on top of such containers, contact thereby only being made with the peripherial ridge. It was found, however, that this means offered only a limited protection in' that objects having other than flat surfaces or other containers which became tilted or askew were not always prevented by the peripheral ridge from depressing the activating member, thus occasionally causing a considerable loss ofthe contents.

The prior art has, additionally, utilized various locking means physically to obstruct or prevent movement of the activating member. Such locking means have included methods such as sections that are punctured or broken by the initial depressing of the activating member or small removable locking members which are held in a predetermined blocking position to prevent movement of the activating member. The former solutions had the disadvantage that substantial bumping of the activator member could break the section and thus defeat its purpose.

The latter solution has encountered the problems of mass production slowdowns. Generally, such overcaps are relatively inexpensive and rely heavily on continuous mass production. The previous locking members have required separate production, alignment and assembly, all of which greatly delay mass production methods and increase the resulting cost of the overcap. In addition, such locking members have been diflicult to incorporate into the overcap design without themselves, becoming a susceptible target for accidental bumps and thereafter becoming separated.

In addition, the presence of the obstructing lock member serves as a visible indication to the consumer that the contents of the aerosol container remain essentially undisturbed from the original manufacturer, and that no deliberate discharge or actuation of the container has been accomplished. The absence of the lock member, on the other hand, would immediately alert a consumer as to the possibility of the container having been discharged and therefore not having its full contents intact.

Accordingly, I contribute by my invention a construction which overcomes the foregoing difiiculties and disadvantages, and achieves an eifective protection against accidental or inadvertent discharge yet is applicable to high quantity production.

My invention enables an inexpensive high mass production unit to be continuously manufactured without slow-downs or delays of aligning or placing of separate parts into predetermined position. As a feature of my construction, the lock member is integrally molded to the main overcap, thus eliminating any necessity for preassembly of intricate parts. Instead, a single unit of plastic composition may be molded in a single operation, the lock member therein formed is easily removable from the main overcap body by the application of slight pressure, causing it to break free. In addition, the lock member itself is positioned within a recess in the overcap, thus avoiding the possibility of accidental bumps and resulting severence of the member.

The position of the lock member is so located that it physically obstructs the activator member from moving into its operative position. Its position is designed such that although only a small force is required to sever the lock member from the overcap when correctly applied, a corresponding force on the activating member or even one of great magnitude will not dislodge the obstructing lock member. In this manner, the unit retains its locked status, even when severe forces are applied to the activating member.

In addition, the presence of the obstructing lock member serves as a visible indication to the consumer that the contents of the aerosol container remain essentially undisturbed from the original manufacturer, and that no deliberate discharge or actuation of the container has been accomplished. The absence of the lock member, on the other hand, would immediately alert a consumer as to the possibility of the container having been discharged and therefore not having its full contents intact.

There has thus been outlined rather broadly the most important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is base-d may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures for carrying out the several purposes of the invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions as do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

A specific embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and is shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overcap construction in accordance with the present invention in position on a container;

FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating the obstructing lock member of the present invention removed from the overcap;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view, taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, and illustrating the lock member in its locked position;

FIG. 3 is a partial vertical profile view of the overcap with the parts as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the overcap as viewed from the underside thereof; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lock member.

Referring now to the drawings in further detail, there is indicated at a pressurized container similar to those which are well known for use in dispensing aerosol compositions, for example the container may be packed under pressure in a known way with a suitable aerosol material or the like. A hollow valve-operating stem 12 (FIG. 2)

extends upwardly through the top of the cylindrical container 10, this stern being depressible so as to operate a suitable known form of spring pressure-closeable valve at the location indicated at 14. The underside of such valve may in known manner have attached thereto a suitable flexible plastic dip tube as at 16 extending down within the lower portion of the container 10 and communicate with the contents therein. Thus, when the valveoperating stem 12 is depressed to open the valve 13, the aerosol mixture will be discharged through the stem.

The overcap construction embodying the features of the present invention may comprise a molded plastic body portion 18 formed, for example, of high density polyethylene and an insert piece 20 which may, for example, be formed of molded medium density polyethylene. The body portion comprises an upstanding and generally cylindrical, relatively thin wall portion 22 which may, if desired, be slightly tapered upwardly and inwardly, the same terminating at the top in a preferably horizontallyextending rim 24 which will provide a ridge adapted to be engaged by the bottom of another like container, to provide a suitable support therefor when pluralities of the containers are packed for shipment. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this rim 24 surrounds central depressed area 26, containing a depressible tab 28 which is adapted to be pressed downward by the users finger or thumb which may be extended through an interrupted region as at 30 in the rim.

The depressible tab 28, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is integrally formed at 32 with the body portion 18 within the depressed area, adjacent to the interrupted region at 30 and is molded evenly with regard to the proximate body area.

The forward portion 34 of the depressible tab 28 is adapted to be movable in an up and down direction pivoted about its portion 32 integrally molded to the body portion. The depressible tab 28 is, itself, of generally rectangular configuration having its edge suitably curved. The underside of the depressible tab 28 is formed with a reinforcing channel member 36 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The channel member serves the purpose of supporting means which engage the valve stem 12 of the aerosol container. As shown, the engagement is made by a hollow cylindrical member 38, the lower end of which is shaped to receive and fit over the valve operating stem as show in FIG. 2. The cylindrical member 38 integrally depends from the depressible tab 28 and is of dimensions such that the whole tab construction is rigid, whereby when pressure is applied thereto by a users finger, the whole unit, including the cylindrical member 38 will be tiltable as a rigid unit about its integrally molded portion 32.

A discharge member 40 is extended laterally outwardly of the overcap and is integrally molded to the depressible tab 28 and also to the supporting channel member 36. The discharge member 40 extends substantially within a recess 42 which is formed in the molded plastic body portion 18. The discharge member 40 is cylindrically shaped and is adapted to receive the insert 20 having an external diameter portion which firmly engages the internal chamber of the discharge member 40 shown at 44.

A discharge orifice 46 is formed in the outside face of the insert 20 and is directed outwardly. Communication is provided between the discharge orifice and the valve stem 12 by the use of hollow passageways as at 48 which 4 extend from the cylindrical member 38 to the discharge member 40 and exit through the discharge orifice 46.

A lock member 50 is provided integrally molded along weakened zones 52 to the body portion 18. In its position as shown in FIG. 2, the lock member 50 is located within the recess 42 and prevents any downward movement of the depressible tab 28.

The lock member 50 is best viewed in FIG. 5 and, as shown, comprises 2. depending edge 54 and an outwardly extended surface 56 in a generally L-shaped construction.

Turning to FIGURE 2, the lock member 50 is shown having its depending edge 54 obstructing the downward movement of the depressible tab 28 while the outwardly extended surface 56 extends into the recess 42. A force applied to the end of this surface 56 such as at the point 58 by means such as finger pressure of the user causes the lock member 50 to break free along the weakened zones 52.

The removal of lock member 50 thereby removes the restriction on the downward movement of the depressible tab 28, therefore allowing it to activate the valve 14 of the aerosol container 10 to discharge the contents thereof.

A depending flange 60 as shown in FIG. 2 may be formed within the body of the cap and is adapted to engage with a snap-on fit upon a rim portion 62 of the valve cup 64 on the top of the container 10.

A plurality of strengthening ridges as at 66 may be molded on the interior of the thin wall portion 22 and additional strengthening and positioning ribs 68 may be provided, as indicated in FIG. 4, on the interior of the depending flange 60.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that I contribute by my invention an improved overcap construction capable of being produced in mass production rapidly and inexpensively while providing safety from discharging the container due to accidental or inadvertent bumps by the use of anintegrally molded lock member.

Although a certain particular embodiment of the invention is herein disclosed for purposes of explanation, fur,- ther modifications thereof, after study of this specification will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Reference should accordingly be had to the appended claims in determining the scope of the invention.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In an overcap for aerosol dispensing containers, a body of molded plastic material, depressible valve control means engaging the valve stem of an aerosol container, discharge means associated with said valve control means and adapted to move therewith and communicating with the valve stem, and a lock member integrally molded with said body along a weakened zone, said lock member being positioned within the path of movement of said discharge means to prevent movement thereof and being readily removable from said body along said weakened zone.

2. In an overcap for aerosol dispensing containers, a body of molded plastic material having an exterior wall with a recess therein, depressible valve control means engaging the valve stem of an aerosol container, discharge means positioned within said recess associated with said valve control means and adapted to move therewith and communicating with the valve stem, and a lock member substantially within said recess and integrally molded with said body along at least one weakened zone, said lock member being normally positioned within the path of movement of said discharge means to prevent movement thereof and said lock member being readily removable from said body along said weakened zone.

3. In an overcap for aerosol dispensing containers, a body of molded plastic material, a depressible tab having means engaging the valve stem of an aerosol container, a movable discharge member including means defining a discharge orifice associated with said depressible tab, said discharge member communicating with the valve stem, and a lock member integrally molded with said body and said discharge member along weakened zones, said lock member being normally positioned Within the path of movement of said discharge member to prevent movement thereof, and said lock member being readily removable from said body and said discharge member along said weakened zones.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ODonnell 222-402.11X Huling 222402.11 Sagarin 222402.13 X Sagarin 222402.13 Sagarin 222--402.13 X

SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,373,908 March 19, 1968 Philip L. Crowell It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below: Column 1, lines 56 to 64, cancel "In addition, the presence of the obstructing lock member serves as a visible indicati-On to the consumer that the contents of the aerosol container remain essentially undisturbed from the original manufacturer, and that no deliberate discharge or actuation of the container has been accomplished. The absence of the lock member, on the other hand would immediately alert a consumer as to the possibility of the container having been discharged and therefore not having its full contents intact Signed and sealed this 25th day of November 1969.

(SEAL) Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr. WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR.

Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

